General / Andrew Hughes / 12 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes tells all the racing fans out there what they can look forward to this week...

Sunday April 12

Fairyhouse

2:45 EBF Mares' Novice Hurdle Championship Final
A big field Graded contest full of progressive novices and a real challenge for punters.

3:15 Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle
Run over two miles, this Grade Two features a small but select bunch of young hurdlers, including Jessica Harrington's progressive five year old, Dundrum.

3:45 Powers Gold Cup
One of the best Irish novice chases, this two and a half mile contest includes no less than four from the Willie Mullins stable, including Jayo, who has been off the track since disappointing in the Irish Arkle.

Longchamp

2:50 Prix de la Grotte
A distinguished contest for three year old fillies, dating back to 1889, which last year went to the subsequent European horse of the year, Zarkava.

3:20 Prix de Fontainebleu
The colts counterpart to the previous race, this mile Grade Three has a similarly strong tradition as a trial for the French Guineas.

Monday April 13

Fairyhouse

3:10 Ladbrokes.com Hurdle
A Grade Three over two and a half miles featuring some interesting candidates, not least Tom Taafe's progressive Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute.

3:55 Irish Grand National
Three miles and five furlongs and a packed field make this one of the busiest betting races of the Irish calendar.

Tuesday April 14

Fairyhouse

2:55 Kevin Brady Car Sales Citreon Novice Hurdle
A very competitive Grade Three run over two and a half miles with a big field and some promising youngsters on show.

3:25 Tattersalls Ireland Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase
A real betting race, this handicap over two miles and a furlong features a intriguing mix of gnarled old campaigners and progressive types.

Wednesday April 15

Cheltenham

3:55 Silver Trophy Chase
The last big race of the season at Cheltenham and plenty of form for punters to scrutinise amongst these exposed types.

Newmarket

3:35 European Free Handicap
The first of the Newmarket Guineas trials, this seven furlong contest differs from the rest in being a handicap based on two year old performances.

4:10 Nell Gwyn Stakes
This seven furlong dash for fillies has historically been one of the more significant Guineas trials, though since 1990 only two horses have won this en route to Classic glory.

4:45 Feilden Stakes
A Listed event run over nine furlongs and confined to three year olds, this is usually taken in by horses being aimed at the Derby.

Thursday April 16

Newmarket

3:00 Abernant Stakes
A thrilling six furlong dash up the Rowley course, this is a great spectacle and a proper test for those who like to get their teeth into sprint handicaps.

3:35 Craven Stakes
Yet another Newmarket trial, this one for colts and geldings and run over seven furlongs. Its recent record as a Guineas trial is not that good but it is still worth watching for potentially useful sorts

4:10 Earl of Sefton Stakes
A good Grade Three over a mile and a furlong for the better older horses. Some classy types have won this and there should be plenty of top quality form to peruse.

Saturday April 18

Ayr

2:20 Future Champion Novices' Chase
A two and a half mile Grade Two for novices that has been won by some nice animals in the past, including Monets Garden and Grey Abbey.

2:50 Scottish Champion Hurdle
This Grade Two handicap may not attract the very best two mile hurdlers, but it is keenly fought and well worth looking at.

3:25 Scottish Grand National
Four miles and a furlong, the course and fences may not be as testing as they are at Aintree, but this is a good betting race featuring some old favourites and plenty of genuine stayers.

Newbury

2:05 John Porter Stakes
Usually a strong Grade Three for older horses over twelve furlongs, this galloping course offers a proper test.

3:10 Fred Darling Stakes
Another Guineas trial, this one run on the straight seven furlongs, though it has a better record than the Nell Gwyn over the last twenty years.

3:45 Greenham Stakes
Perhaps the main 2000 Guineas trial and though it may not throw up many winners of that race, it does produce some interesting candidates worth watching, such as last year's winner Paco Boy.

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